Charmides is one of Plato's early dialogues, focused on the concept of temperance (sophrosyne), a virtue often understood as moderation or self-control. The dialogue takes place in a conversation between Socrates and Charmides, a young and handsome Athenian, as well as Critias, a relative of Charmides. Socrates begins by asking Charmides about his understanding of temperance and whether it can be defined in a way that everyone can understand. Charmides initially claims that temperance is the ability to "know oneself," but this definition leads to further questioning by Socrates, as the conversation moves towards more complex ideas about the nature of virtues.As the discussion progresses, Socrates examines the idea that temperance may be related to other virtues, like wisdom, and that one might need knowledge or self-awareness to be truly temperate. Ultimately, the dialogue ends without a definitive answer to what temperance truly is, leaving the concept unresolved. Plato's Charmides is significant for its exploration of ethical ideas and the Socratic method of questioning, where Socrates encourages the characters to reflect deeply on their beliefs. The dialogue illustrates the difficulties of defining complex virtues and the philosophical search for wisdom.